A government paediatrician in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district has been arrested following the deaths of at least 13 children linked to a contaminated cough syrup. Dr Praveen Soni, who allegedly prescribed the toxic medicine to the majority of the young victims, was taken into custody late Saturday night.

The fatalities occurred after the children consumed Coldrif syrup, manufactured by Sresun Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu-based company. A laboratory analysis found the syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), a lethal chemical known to cause kidney failure and death.

Dr Soni, who operated a private clinic in Parasia despite being a government doctor, has been charged under Section 27(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS

See Full Page